Quuarashi: Jinx
Label:
Release Date: 2002
Review Date: 2003
These guys are from Iceland and were in punk bands and now they make very American metal rap. 15 seconds intto the lead off track and you get the first "Sucka MCs" reference. It's all very, very slick and mostly utterly forgettable. Where these guys get close to bing memorable is when they start take an aural and stylistic cue form early Urban Dance Squad, another euro rap guitar hybrid that was original at the time and a lot of fun to listen to. Every time Quuarashi approaches that vibe musically or lyrically, they slip into tired conventions, bravado, and blandness. I guess it's not Hössi (huh'-see) Olafsson's fault that his voice sounds like a certain member of Rage against the Machine. "Tarfur" is sung in Icelandic. It may sound backwards, but it's one of the most intersing and memorable tracks onthe record. These guys want to be like Americans and have succed in the worst way. It's too bad because a lot of the arrangements are pretty good. They've got the creative power, but they're using it for the Emporer and not the Rebellion. Just the kind of crap you'd expect from the juggernaut that is Sony Music. Hell, they're really young though, and seem to have a good sense of humor. Perhaps something good wil come of them.
Online Action: www.quarashi.net (Can
you believe quarashi.com was taken?)
Online Action: www.timebombrecordings.com
Online Action: www.columbiarecords.com
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